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Sources: Eddie Hearn is closing in on a deal for Dmitry Bivol to end his layoff and defend his WBA light heavyweight title against once beaten Craig Richards in April. Richards lost a decision to Frank Buglioni in 2017. Bivol last fought in Oct 2019, a period now spanning nearly 500 days.

It is expected that Bivol will then go on to fight Gilberto Ramirez in the summer. Ramirez is expected to sign a multi fight deal with Matchroom Boxing USA and will debut on April 17 (Andrade Williams Undercard)in a warm up fight.

Never heard of Richards. It's shame, that Bivol is forced to waste his prime years like that.

DrDuke wrote: ↑12 Feb 2021, 06:32 Never heard of Richards. It's shame, that Bivol is forced to waste his prime years like that.

https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/721141
He recently beat Shakan Pitters for the British Title and has good solid wins under his belt but this is a huge, huge step up for him. I can see Bivol either stopping him late or winning via a very wide UD!

Bivol to stick it on him and stop him

The spider is a top fella but nowhere near this level , hopefully will earn well from it .

Talk about a big step up! I guess this is one of the world title fights Eddie has planned for the late April PPV. I bet Callum Johnson is wishing Joe hadn’t called Eddie a racist now!

Easy win for Bivol.

Nothing against richards but how has he got a world title shot.

smiling assassin wrote: ↑12 Feb 2021, 11:07 Nothing against richards but how has he got a world title shot.

Playing the system. Rolled the dice against Jake Ball and got ranked by the WBA and then rolled the dice again against Pitters and went from 12 I think to 8. But nevertheless this is a huge huge leap up in class and one that will highlight the gap between Domestic/ European and World level!

adobson15 wrote: ↑12 Feb 2021, 11:32

smiling assassin wrote: ↑12 Feb 2021, 11:07 Nothing against richards but how has he got a world title shot.

Playing the system. Rolled the dice against Jake Ball and got ranked by the WBA and then rolled the dice again against Pitters and went from 12 I think to 8. But nevertheless this is a huge huge leap up in class and one that will highlight the gap between Domestic/ European and World level!

The system is all wrong and it’s no wonder our sport is going down the Gary.

smiling assassin wrote: ↑12 Feb 2021, 12:03

adobson15 wrote: ↑12 Feb 2021, 11:32

smiling assassin wrote: ↑12 Feb 2021, 11:07 Nothing against richards but how has he got a world title shot.

Playing the system. Rolled the dice against Jake Ball and got ranked by the WBA and then rolled the dice again against Pitters and went from 12 I think to 8. But nevertheless this is a huge huge leap up in class and one that will highlight the gap between Domestic/ European and World level!

The system is all wrong and it’s no wonder our sport is going down the Gary.

Oh 100%, not saying it is right but his management have played the system to perfection. Calculated fights against Ball and Pitters have meant he is in line for a payday against Bivol. Although it won't be competitive, fair play to his management and him for playing the system and highlighting all the flaws that is wrong with boxing sanctioning bodies and the rankings! As I said if anyone isn't sure of the jump between British/European level and World level, this is the exact kind of fight that will highlight this!

cant see Craig Richard fighting bivol, if he did i hope richards would go all out as he has bang on him , as bivol will box the ears of him otherwise

Delighted for Richards

He's the British champion at the weight and dethroned the fancied Pitters in spectacular fashion.

Craig has shown he's not one for ducking a challenge and he's really up against it taking on Bivol. He'll need a punch from the Gods to beat Bivol but stranger things have happened.

Best of British & good luck